STORIES
Focus on the Unreached
The Bedouin traditionally live a nomadic lifestyle, spreading from the Persian Gulf to the Atlantic Ocean and from the borders of Turkey to Yemen. The word ‘bedouin’ comes from the Arab word ‘Bedou’ that means “desert dweller.” Estimates say nomadic Bedouins constitute about one-tenth of the population of the Middle East. Now many of them have settled into towns and villages. They are 99.9% Muslim. World population estimate is over 2,600,000. The first converts to Islam came from the Bedouin tribes. Only 0.01% are evangelical Christian. Increasingly Bedouin young people are using internet and online media and can find Christian content there, as well as on satellite. Please pray for this type of media to be effective in bringing them the good news. Pray for God to send labourers into this harvest field and for the salvation of the Bedouin people.
When we face challenges in God’s service it’s good to remember that what troubles us does not trouble God. In the following stories we see Him do, what to us, seems impossible. He also makes a way for people who seek Him to find Him.
God is Always on Time
A few years ago, my passport and visa to return to Côte d’Ivoire had not come when I expected. Anxiety settled in. Although I had sent my passport in to the Côte d’Ivoire embassy in good time, by Friday there was still no sign of it and my flight.. read more
God is Able
Juan Arvelo in Spain shares with us what God did this year to take him to Dallas for a week-long intensive course.
“This term I am taking two subjects from the Master’s program in World Arts online: Theory and Practice of Ethnodoxology and Current Issues on Scripture Engagement. The first one had an intensive component on-campus that lasted for a week but I didn´t have the funds to go. Read more
In Search of a Green Tree
We have seen many new visitors coming to our church recently and many of them have shown evidence that the Lord is working in their lives. One example is a man who recently moved here from another country in the Middle East. He woke up one morning after having had a dream of a green tree… read more
"God Sent You to Me"
I continue to be involved in prison ministry with a large team of around twelve, four of us from the college. We join with a team of eight from Germany. This outreach is proving to be a great challenge and joy. God surprises us at each meeting by connecting each of us with precisely the right inmates with whom we can share… read more
Short Termer Dee Rescues Chickens
“It was the 2nd weekend in November and the temperature hovered around -5C. My team in Asia had been working on a chicken project for most of the year, with plans of teaching local men how to raise chickens and develop a sustainable egg-selling business. They were now prepared to receive 800 chickens as the first flock. I had asked if I could help out with it because I am very familiar with chickens, having grown up on a chicken farm in Canada. I wanted to see how this team project worked … Read more
A Perfect Day in Central Asia
Through connections from the farmer’s market where I play music with a local band, I had an amazing experience. My friend told me that one of the farmers who sells vegetables at his farm had asked him if I could come to his farm and pray for his friend, who was dealing with many curses from black magic. I told them that my prayers were not magic, but if the friend was willing for me to pray in the name of Jesus, then it wouldn’t be a problem. They agreed and took me out to a village on the outskirts of my city … Read more
Focus on the Unreached
The Uygur (pronounced weegur) are of Turkic ethnicity living mainly in East and Central Asia. Uygurs primarily practice Islam. Like most populations of Central Eurasia, they are closely related to both Europe’s and East Asian people.* Estimated world population is 12,068,600 with the majority living in Northwest China. Reaching the Uygur with the Gospel is not easy because in some countries they live in fear of being arrested and put into prison. Pray for open doors to reach the Uygur with the Gospel. According to the Joshua Project only 0.01% of Uygurs are Christian.
*Wikipedia
A Worker Shares His Call
About a year ago I saw a large group of men playing cricket in a park and decided to go over and ask where they were from. As I approached a group of men sitting under a tree I was gripped with fear and .. (continued…)
Focus on the Unreached
The Pashtun people mainly live in Pakistan and Afghanistan but a large number are also found in India. They speak Pashto. There are approximately 50 million worldwide and are the largest people group in Afghanistan and second largest in Pakistan. The majority of Pashtuns are Sunni Muslim. They are currently one of the largest unreached people groups in the world. Pray God will raise up more workers to share the Good News with Pashtuns.
Pashtuns Find Jesus
This year another worker felt God was asking her to reach out to the Pashtun people. She prayed He would guide her to a Pashtun family and started… (continued…)
Surprise Encounter
Hearing about a conference where Pashtun people were the focus for ministry, one of our young workers wanted to attend, although he had to drive twelve hours into the States to get there. He had spoken to a few Pashtuns in Canada, and wondered if God was leading him to join a team that reaches out to them. Stopping at a rest stop, 45 minutes before arriving… (continued)
Pray for Japan's Elderly
A high rate of suicide among the elderly in Japan is a known fact. These are lonely people without hope. The Post Office provides a service… (continued)
God Calls Africans into Missions
The country of Sao Tomé and Principe, two islands off the coast of Central Africa in the Gulf of Guinea, is not a place that most people in the West are familiar with. These uninhabited islands were .. read more…
Garlic and Goats
Sipho and Amanda Moyo oin Zimbabwe write:
“ACTS13 is growing and developing throughout Africa and here with us in Zimbabwe. We are working hard at developing our farm to be a hub of mission sending preparation and … read more
An Adult Missionary Kid in Canada Prepares for Full Time Service
“I’ve been meeting a large number of Afghans here, as well as other random people.”
“Every day I go out and wander, looking for people who are open to talk to me.
Read More…
Highlighting our MK’s – Missionary Kids
It’s been a while since we’ve mentioned our MKs. We’d like to highlight them in this issue for a few reasons.
Read More…
I Grew up in Mexico
Testimony by Christy Ann Dyck
I grew up in Mexico. My parents worked at a Christian camp (El Monte) with other missionaries. I had awesome Christian friends who supported me. I grew up believing in Jesus but it wasn’t very personal. I accepted Jesus when I was 10 but I struggled a lot with wanting to do more for Him.
Teresa shares Highlights of Her Life as a Missionary Kid
“It’s the feeling of having someone lift up your head from the pit of despair. It’s the presence of the One who will never leave you nor forsake you. It’s the knowledge that you can face the future.
Jesus Love Touches a Lame Man
A young worker and his friend in Central Asia ventured into an unreached part of the country. They report:
The first day we did a lot of walking. As we walked we asked the Lord to open a door for us to share in this city. We began conversations with quite a few people but no one showed an interest in talking with us. We would chat for a few minutes before they said they had to leave or get back to work. We went back to the hotel and decided to spend some time in prayer before getting to bed early. Tomorrow we would have an early start. As soon as my friend jumped into bed he jumped right back out,
Was it Really an Accident?
Jake, a former discipleship student, stayed on in the city after the course finished. We have seen him grow even more in his faith. He works as a barista at a popular café and shares his faith with the students who come. He also helps to mentor young people in our church. Jake stays at the Discipleship School property and organizes cleaning. His family remains… read more
Surprised and Affirmed by Flutes
Andrew and Aimée Janzen and family have spent the past year and a half in Toronto preparing to return to Brazil in 2018. They have had to overcome serious health issues while in Canada and at the same time give much time to study. Andrew is completing… read more
God Turned My World Upside Down
The question is often asked of our missionaries, “How were you called into missions?” One of our newest workers, about to leave for North Africa, shares her story.
I was not born into a Christian home. Religion was a foreign thing in our high-achieving household, not looked upon in a positive light. Things were not looking good for me as a twelve year old, as I began walking down a destructive, sinful path pursuing the world and its revelry….
Finding the True Comforter
The story of a woman in Central Asia who found Christ in the middle of a crisis
God has sent missionaries to Central Asia to pray, sow seeds of Truth, engage in spiritual warfare, and spread hope to those living under the clouds of Communism and Islam. You may wonder, how does someone come to the point of putting their faith in Jesus? Romans 10:17 tells us, “Faith comes from hearing the message and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”
Meet our workers
We have workers in many countries. over 90 in fact. Some we can openly introduce to you and others are in nations where their identities can be compromised. Therefore, for some, we are only using initials or first names.
God Affirms Jason's Call
Things finally came together. For three years, Jason had dreamed of going to a country in the Middle East where God had called him. Because of numerous food allergies and a restricted diet, doubts arose in his thoughts: “How will I ever find the food I need to live there?” Amazingly, God opened the door for a three-month trip to his dream country to show Jason that He could keep him and use him there.
God did above and beyond what Jason expected.
Touched by Worship
But the hour is coming and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him” John 4:23, 24
The above passage has taken on fresh and exciting meaning to me through some unexpected experiences over the past months.
Gathered together with some friends one morning during prayer a certain nearby shop owner came to my mind. I had visited him a number of times but quite some time had passed since I last saw him.
When Being Counter-Cultural Works
Men witness to men and women witness to women.” These are the words of a wise instructor of cross-cultural missions. Especially in conservative societies such as where we work and live. I had heard this many times and even echoed these same words to others. In societies where the divides between men and women are strong, communication between the sexes needs to be careful and cultural boundaries respected.
I first met Tina while exploring our new neighbourhood. We were trying to get the lay of the land and we ventured out as a family to practice ‘culinary evangelism’. Namely, explore the various foods your new neighbourhood offers and meet and talk to as many people as you can. Tina ran a store serving basic breakfast and lunch menus specializing in milk/yogurt/cheese products.